Joan Garcia speaks out as Liverpool ‘might hijack’ the transfer deal with Arsenal

Joan Garcia of Espanyol has been reported as a goalkeeper whom Liverpool is interested in signing to bolster their roster in that position.

Joan Garcia has talked about his future at Espanyol in light of Liverpool and Arsenal’s alleged interest. After making an impression in La Liga 2 the previous season, the 23-year-old has been linked to a transfer to the Premier League.

Before helping Espanyol win Olympic gold with Spain at the Paris Games earlier this summer, Garcia assisted the team in returning to the top division of Spanish football. The goalkeeper’s contract is said to contain a release clause worth about £21.4 million, but estimates from Spain indicate that amount would likely increase to £25.7 million.

While Arsenal has contemplated a bid for the 6″2 shot stopper’, Garcia is reportedly the target of Liverpool, who hope to bolster their goalkeeper unit this summer. In spite of this, Garcia has acknowledged that, with four years remaining on his present contract, he is not concerned about the future.

“I am at ease,” he declared. “I am the type of person who shuts himself off from everything, and my main concern is the game [against Real Sociedad] on Saturday. These things don’t depend on oneself in football, but I’m delighted right here.”

While Arsenal and Garcia have verbally agreed to a deal worth close to €30 million (£25 million), Mundo Deportivo reports that other clubs are also interested in signing Garcia. They assert that Girona, a La Liga team, and Liverpool could try to sabotage any agreement.

Garcia returned to play on Monday, but he was unable to stop Espanyol from losing 1-0 to Real Valladolid in their La Liga comeback following a single season in the second division. This weekend, Espanyol will host Real Sociedad at home before hosting Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano to close up the first month of the campaign.

Liverpool, however, is also considering other goalkeepers. Giorgi Mamardashvili of Valencia is one of them; the Reds are apparently close to acquiring him for a fee of approximately £34 million. This summer, the Georgia international is expected to be the Reds’ first new addition.

The 23-year-old, who impressed for Georgia during their campaign for the European Championship, is allegedly the top choice to face Alisson at Anfield. Mamardashvili is anticipated to play for Valencia for the 2024–2025 season before formally joining Liverpool the following summer.

This is the result of Ruben Baraja, the manager of Valencia, delivering a strong message to Liverpool regarding his future. “It’s very simple; as long as there’s nothing, I won’t value it,” Baraja stated prior to Valencia’s opening weekend matchup against Barcelona. I’m not referring about theories here.

“He remains our player as long as there is no other circumstance, according to his contract with Valencia. He is prepared to play in the game tomorrow. He’s prepared to compete; we’ll discuss when events arise.”